Arran 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

"...tough to put down. It’s a stellar base for elevated Scotch cocktails, too." - drinkhacker.com

Nominated as one of the twenty defining whiskies of the past twenty years by Malt Advocate back in 2013, this new incarnation of Arran 10 opens slightly woody and acidic on the nose developing attractive honeyed, chocolatey notes. On the palate, American oak underscores the malt; juicy orchard fruits and vanilla shine through in a fresh, spicy delivery. The finish offers stewed pears and hints of cinnamon. Uncomplicated but very tasty. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Other reviews... We last reviewed this whisky in 2012. Today the whisky is sweeter than I recall, the honey and nougat characteristics more immediate and vibrant on both nose and palate. Fresh, heathery granary notes give the palate a sense of the earth, with rolling notes of sweet breakfast cereal, a spritz of grapefruit peel, and just the lightest hint of rosemary. Definitely nutty on the finish, though my mention of almond notes 10 years prior is less distinct today, perhaps owing to the healthy slug of sweet honey that gives the whisky its exuberance. A light touch of green herbs returns on the finish — again, evoking rosemary. Arran 10 may not be overwhelming in its complexity — but it is, to be sure, tough to put down. It’s a stellar base for elevated Scotch cocktails, too. - drinkhacker.com

...Honey and fresh pear mingle on nose and palate of this single-malt Scotch from the Isle of Arran. Adding water cools the singe of alcohol heat and brings out a hint of smoke. Finishes light; sip or mix. 90 points - wineenthusiast.com

[Previous packaging] Launched in 2006 as the first mainstream Arran bottling with an age statement, it is sweet and malty on the nose, with fresh-planed wood and toffee apples. The palate is fruity, with ripe banana, honey, vanilla, coconut, and wood spices. Spicy orchard fruits and malt in the relatively long finish. Well-balanced and eminently drinkable at this age. The quality has improved since earlier bottlings.
87 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Fall 2018)

Gold Medal 2019 World Whiskies Awards

Gold Medal - 95 points IWSC 2019